Vehicle bumper



Patented Man. 17, 1925.

units STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

NICK CHMELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND LOUIS PELIS AND JOHN DMYTRASH, OF

LAPOR-TE, INDIANA.

VEHICLE BUM'PER.

Application filed October 24,1924. Serial No. 745,607.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we. hirer; GHMELL, residing at Chicago in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, and Lotus Pants and JoitN DIHYTHASIL bothresiding at Laporte, in the county of Laporte ant State of Indiana, alli s of Ukraine, have invented certain and useful .lmproven'ients inVehicle Bumpers, of which the followingis a spec-ill cation. I

This invention relates to bumpers for the use in connection withautomobiles, trolley '11 1 and other vehicles, and its main object isthe provision of a bumper adapted to grasp a persons body, elevate itabove the giz round and prevent it from falling under the wheels of thevehicle during: an accident and thus to prevent a serious injury.

Vith the above general object inview and others that will appear as thenature ofthe invention is better understood, the same consists of thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the appended claims.

in the drawings forming a part of this application and in which likedesignatingr characters refer to corr sponding parts through-- out theseveral views.

Figure 1 is top plan view of the lunnpcr in an inoperatire or et thevehicle to which the bumper attached; Figure 2 is a rear elevationalview with attaching bars shown in section taken online 2'2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a top plan View showing theoperative position of the bumper,with a fragmentary top plan view of the front part of the vehicle;

Figure t is a side sectional. View of the bumper in its operativeposition talren on line l[4C of Figure 3; and 1 Figure 5 is a sidesectional view of a portion of the device taken on line of positioiuwith a fragrinoutary top plan view of the front part of side plates 1.5assuming a parallel relation with the side bars 11. The complete frameis positioned within the two side bars 11 as shown on Figs. 1 and 3.Rearwardly of the plate 14. the forward end of the frame is pivoted tothe forward ends of the side bars 11 by means of bolts 16. The boltheads 17, washers 1.8 interposed between the side bars 11 andside plates15, and nuts 19 prevent the horizontal shifting of the frame in respectto the side bars 11.

Upright plates 20 are pivoted at their lower ends to the rear ends ofside bars 11 by means of bolts 21. the plates 20 are bent inwardly atright angles forming flanges 27 in which rectangular slots are formedpermitting insertion therein of guiding bars which are firmly secured bymeans of rivets 23 to the'rear ends of side plates 15. The lower ends ofsaid guiding bars are bent outwardly at right angles forming; flanges 2%which limit the upright movement of the rear ends of side plates 15during the process of setting the device to its inoperative positionhereinafter described. Pins 25 limit the downward movement of theguiding bars 22 during the operation of the device. (loll The upper endsof i springs 26 mounted upon the guiding bars 22 are interposed betweenthe upper edges of the side plates 15 and the flanges 27 of theguidii'in 'bars Said coil springs 26 being compressed during theinoperative or set position of the device tend to press upon therearends of the plates 15.

Brace 28 connects the two side plates 15 and is permanently fixedthereto at its two downwardlydiverging ends 29 by rivets 30. Plate 81 isfixed to the upper surface of the brace 28, and by interpositionofwashers a longitudinal slot 33 is formed between said plate and saidbrace, wherein S-shape'd arms 34 arepositioned and pivoted as at 35. Thebolts or looking bars 36 are pivoted at their; inner ends to saidS-shaped arms as at 3 I Secured by rivets 38 to the brace 23 near itsboth ends are the upright guiding plates 39, each; provided with a slot40 wherein slide the locking bars 36. Similar plates 41 are secured tothe side plates 15, which are also provided with slots accommodatingsaid locking bars 36. The two sets of plates remain in alinement andtheir slots are much longer than the width of the locking bars 36 so asto permit a tree sliding movement of said locking bars during theoperation oi? the device or during the process 0t setting the same intouse. Projections or lugs 42 are provided at the upper edges of side bars11 upon winch the locking bars 36 normally rest.

Tofurther strengthen the structure and to provide guiding means for thearms 34 a front brace 43 is secured to the forwardends of the sideplates 15 and disposed there-above, the brace being riveted to the saidplates as at 44. A longitudinal slot 45 as plainly seen on Fig. 4 formedbetween the plate 14 and the brace 43 permits horizontal slidingmovement of the arms Above the forward ends of arms 34 U- shapedbrackets 46 are disposed and riveted thereto as at 47. As seen on Fig. 4the horizontal portions of said brackets 46 are in parallel relationwith arms 34 and on their horizontal plane are Sshaped conforming to theshape of said arms, as illustrated on Figs. 1 and 3.

iands 48 made of canvas, rubber or any other suitable material arestretched upon tlie upright portions 49 of the U-shaped brackets 46. Thepurpose of said bands 43 is to assist arms 34 and brackets 46 in holdinga person during the operation of the device and also to prevent-anyinjury to the person held which might otherwise ensue by the suddenaction of arms 34.

Forwardly ot the plate l4 a conventional bumper plate 50 is positioned.To pre vent injury to a person hit thereby said bumper plate is coveredby a cushion or padding 51.

On the rear face oi said bumper plate three guiding rods are providedwhich are integrally formed with the bumper plate; the two end rodsbeing marked by 52 and thethird, a central rod, indicated by 53. Thebumper plate 50 is under tension e2;- erted thereupon by coilsprings 54which are set on each rod and remain interposed between the plate 14 andthe bumper plate. Adjacent the rear face or the plate 14 pins 55 areprovided upon each rod 52 and rod 53 for the purpose of limiting theforward movement 01" the bumper plate 50. Each of the rods passesthrough its respective aperture 56 provided in the plate 14. For furtherguiding the movement of said rods three lugs 57 are fixed to the brace28 by rivets 58 and form right angles with said brace. The rearward endsof the rods 52 and pass through the apertures madein the lugs 57.

The central rod is relatively longer than the other two rods and at itsrear end is provided with a plunger head 60 which is afiixed to the redby means ot' its threaded portion 61.

Coil springs 62 are attached to the rear ends of the arms as at 63 andto the side plates 15 as at During the operative condition of the devicesaid coil springs remain compressed as indicated on Fig. 3.

In an inoperative or set position of the device as illustrated in Figs.1 and 2, the forward ends of arms 34 will remain spread apart, and thelocking bars 36 will remain in looking engagement with the side bars 11and side plates 15.

counteracting the action of the springs 62 upon arms 34 during theinoperative or set position of the device a yoke is positioned upon therear ends of arms 34. as plainly seen on Figs. 1 and 2 said yokeconsisting of plate 65 which is provided with apertures 66 (Fig. 2) intowhich lit the ends of arms 34. On the front face of plate 65 a U-shapedbracket 67 is positioned and attached thereto by means of bolts 68. Le-

vers 69 are pivoted to the forward ends of said bolts, the pivot pointsbeing marked by 70. The outer ends of the levers 6?) rest upon shoulders71 made in the adjacent edges of the rear ends of the arms 34 and thusprevent creeping movements of'the yoke upon the rear ends of said arms.Springs 72 positioned between the U-shaped plate 67 and the inner endsof levers 69 tend to hold the levers in engagement with the arms 34 asplainly seen on Fig. 1. The end portions of said U-shaped plate 67 areprovided with recesses 73 wherein move the outer ends of levers 69 andwherein they are held against any lateral displacement as shown on Fig.5.

A. chain 74 fixed by one end to the central rod 53 and by the other endto the yoke prevents the latter from dropping to the ground when it isdisengaged from arms 34 during the operative position of the deviceshown on Fig. 4.

Assuming that the device remains in an inoperative or set position asillustrated on Figs. 1 and 2, the bumper plate 50 by hitting a personduring an accident will be pressed rearwardly by the impact causing thecentral rod 53 to slide rearwardly and the rod by its plunger head 60coming in contact with the inner ends of levers 69 will cause thedisengagement of the outer ends of the said levers from the shoulders71. By continuing action of the plunger head 69 a thrust will beimparted to the yoke causing the plate 65 to disengage from the rearends of the arms 34, the disengaged yoke becoming suspended upon thechain T4: as illustrated in Fig. 41-. Now by the action of springs 62the rear ends of arms 3 lwill spread apart causing the forward ends toclose. As seen on 3 the forward ends of the arms will p a personremaining in the path of increment of the forward ends of said arms, thepersons body being; represented by 75. l'iands lS being made of aflexible i'naterial will tend to prevent injury to a person during theoperation of the arms. I

Simultaneously with the hereinabove described operation of the arms 34;,locking bars 36 will move inwardly with the arms and will becomedisengaged from the lugs 42 on side bars ll. The side plates 15 held bythe locking bars 36 in engagement with side bars 11 will become releasedand by the expansion of springs 26 will make a down ward swingingmovement on their pivot points 16 assuming the position shown on Fig.4t. The forward ends of the arms 34 grasping a person therebet'ween willbecome elevated as a result of the action of the eX pandinp; springs 26as plainly seen on Fig. 4-. Thus a person heldin the arms 34 will. beraised from the ground preventing his falling; under the wheels of thevehicle.

it the operative Condition of the device, illustrated on Figs. 3 and 4,plates 20 will assume an inclined position in respect to the side bars11 owing to the rearward tilting of the upper ends of the pjuiding bars22. Since the guiding bars 22 remain in a stationary relation in respectto the side plates 15. they beingrigidly secured there to, pins 25bearing upon flanges 27 will not only limit the downward movement oftheguiding bars 22, but will also limit the downward movement of the sideplates 15 and brace 28 and in consequence the upward n'lovement of thefront ends of arms 34.

To adapt the device to an inoperative or set position illustrated onFig. 1 fromthat shown on Fig. at pressure is exerted upon the forwardends of arms34 causing the compression of springs 26. During thatoperation flanges 24- limit the upward movement of side plates 15.Thereupon by spreading the forward ends of arms 34 the locking bars 36will assume the position shown on Fig. 1. By placing the yoke upon therear ends of arms 34 the device will become reconditioned for repeateduse.

It is observed that the operation. of the mechanism causing the verticalmovement of the forward ends of arms 34: takes place nearlysimultaneously with the operation of the mechanism causing; thehorizontal closing movement of the forward ends of the said arms, orimmediately upon disengagement of the locking; bars 36 from lugs 42 onside bars 11 when said locking bars are drawn inwardly by the arms.Obviously the operation of the first mentioned mechanism may be delayeduntil the forward ends of arms 34: have covered considerable distance intheir horizontal closing movement or until they have come to the pointof grasping a persons body, and this result may readily be accomplishedby merely mak- 36 proportionately frame, a bumper plate, locking barsuponsaid arms holding said frame in an inoperative locked engagementwith said side bars, said locking" bars moving with said arms, a yokeupon said arms holding the arms in an inoperative open position, meansconnected to said bumper plate capable ofdisengaging said yoke from saidarms, and springs associated with said side bars and said frame causingelevation of said arms upon movement of said locking bars on operationof said means.

2. In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame,bumper plate, locking; bars carried by said arms holding said frame inengagement with said side bars, said lockinqbars being adapted to movewith said arms, a yoke engaging said arms, a rod carried by said bumperplate and disposed adjacent to said yoke, said rod being? capable ofdisengaging said yoke from said arms on actuation of said bumper plate.means cooperating with said arms and said frame for imparting horizontalclosing movement to the arms and for releasing the engagement of saidframe with said side bars, and means cooperating; with said frame andsaid side bars for imparting vertical movement to said arms, both ofsaid means being capable of simultaneous operation upon disengagement ofsaid yoke from said arms on operation of said rod.

3. In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a

frame mounted upon said sidebars, arms upon said frame, a bumper plate,a yoke in engagement with said arms holding the same in an inoperativeopen position, means cooperating with said bumper plate and said yokefor releasing the engagement of the latter from said arms, andindependent means for closing and for elevating said arms on operationof the first named means.

4. In a bumper having side bars whereby Ill) it is attached to the bodyof avehicle, a

frame mounted upon said side bars. arms upon said frame, a bumper plate,means for holding said arms in an inoperative open position, said meansbeing capable of disengagement on actuation of said bumper plate, meansassoc'ated with said arms for holding said frame inengagement with saidside bars, said last named means being capable of disengagement onoperation of the first named means, and means cooperating with said sidebars and said frame for ele vating said arms on operation of theflrstand second named means.

5. In a. bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a frame, mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, abumper plate, a yoke holding said arms in an inoperative open position,said yoke being capable of disengagement from said arms on actuation ofsaid bumper plate, means associated with said arms for holding saidframe in engage ment with said side bars, said means being capable ofdisengagement on operation of said yoke, and'means cooperating with saidside bars and said frame for elevating said arms on operation of saidyoke and said first named means.

6. In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, abumper plate, means for holding said arms in an inoperative openposition, said means being capable of disengagement on actuation of saidbumper plate, locking bars associated with said arms for holding saidframe in engagement with said side bars, said locking bars being capableof disengagement on operation.

of said means, and means cooperating with said side bars and said framefor elevating said arms on operation of said first named means and saidlocking bars.

7. In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, abumper plate, means for holding said arms in an inoperative openposition, said means being capable of disengagement on actuation of saidbumper plate, means associated with said arms for bold ing said frame inengagement with said side bars, saidv last mentioned means being capableof disengagement on operation of the first named means, and springscooperating with said side bars and said frame for elevating said armson operation of both of said means.

8. In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle,- a frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, abumper plate, a yoke holding said arms in an inoperative open position,said yoke being capable of disengagements from said arms on actuation ofsaid bumper plate, locking bars associated with said arms for holdingsaid frame in I engagement with said side bars, said locking bars beingcapable of disengagement on operation of said yoke, and meanscooperating with said side bars and said frame for elevating said armson operation of said yoke and said locking bars.

9. In a bumper having sidebars whereby it is attached to the, body of avehicle, a frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, abumper plate, a yoke holding said. arms in an inoperative open position,saidyoke being capable of disengagement from said arms on actuation ofsaid bumper plate, means associated with said arms for holding saidframe in engagement with said side bars, said means being capable ofdisengagen'ient on operation of said yoke, and springs associated withsaid frame and said side bars for elevating said arms on operation ofsaid yoke and said means. i

10; In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, abumper plate, means for holding said arms in an inoperative openposition, said means being capable of disengagement from said arms onactuation of said bumper plate, locking bars associated. with said armsfor holding said frame in engagement with said side bars, said lookingbars being capable of disengagement on operation of said means, andsprings cooperating with said side bars and said frame for elevatingsaid arms on operation of said means and said locking bars.

11. In a bumper having side bars whereby it is attached to the body of avehicle, a

frame mounted upon said side bars, arms upon said frame, a bumper plate,a yoke holding said arms in an inoperative open po sition, said yokebeing capable of disengagement fromsaid arms on actuation of said bumperplate, locking bars associated with said armsfor holding said frame inen gagement with said side bars, said locking bars being capable ofdisengagement on operation of said yoke, and springs cooperating withsaid frame and said side bars for elevating said arms on operation ofsaid. yoke and said locking bars.

In testimony whereof we af'fix our signatures.

NICK CHMELL. LOUIS PELIS. JOHN DMYTRASI-I.

